Health-care seeking and expenditure by young Indian mothers in the public and private sectors

A total of 421 young married mothers in Karnataka State, India, were follow ed up at monthly intervals for 1 year. Results are presented on self-report ed morbidity, treatment-seeking behaviour and health expenditures. A total of 911 completed illness episodes were reported, of which 58% resulted in c onsultations with practitioners, mostly working in the private sector. Amon gst those who did consult physicians, an average of 1.76 visits was made pe r episode. The average cost per visit was 46 Rupees and 38 Rupees, for priv ate and public-sector consultations respectively. The overall mean annual e xpenditure on treatment and associated costs for the entire sample was 172 Rupees, of which 104 Rupees was spent on private-sector treatment. Poorer w omen reported significantly more days of morbidity than richer women but sp ent significantly less per 100 days of illness.